a somewhat expensive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a somewhat expensive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when an item is not extremely expensive, but more costly than it should be. For example, "This shirt was a somewhat expensive purchase, but I knew it would last a long time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

River Cottage cookery courses "A River Cottage cookery day is a somewhat expensive option, but great," says Kate. "Unlike some more precious operations, children of all ages are welcome, provided they are accompanied.

Independent

To shoot these videos, you'll need a somewhat expensive 360 camera like a Bubblcam, which costs $800.

TechCrunch

That gives the company a somewhat expensive price-to-earnings growth ratio (or PEG, the estimated P/E multiple divided by estimated long-term earnings growth) of 1.5.

Forbes

Since this is a somewhat expensive space to jump into, they're trying to get $50,000 with their Indiegogo campaign, and you can give any amount you want.

TechCrunch

You may burn a hole in the shutter, which would require a somewhat expensive repair.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The "peripherals" of the novel's title are a commonplace, if somewhat expensive, tool — essentially surrogate bodies, controlled remotely as if they were the user's own.

The New Yorker

The user-friendly, memorable domain name is a small (and somewhat expensive) step in that direction.

TechCrunch

You can buy this product at an office or supply store, and although it is somewhat expensive ($7-$7-$10can) it goes a long way and is a lot less expensive than calling in a professional "compressed air" cleaning company.

WikiHow

WINE LIST A diverse, comprehensive and somewhat expensive sampling from the New and Old Worlds, with too few truly appealing reds under $60 a bottle.

The New York Times - Food

They can be difficult to become accustomed to walking with and are somewhat expensive but they add an extra 18" of height making you a giant in the crowd.

WikiHow

[laughs] "Ted" was an idea that happened to be somewhat expensive, compared to other comedies and certainly other R-rated comedies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the cost of items, consider your audience and choose the most appropriate level of formality. "A somewhat expensive" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a somewhat expensive" when the item's price is significantly high. Opt for stronger descriptors like "very expensive" or "prohibitively costly" to accurately reflect the true cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a somewhat expensive" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun by indicating its relative cost. Ludwig AI states this usage is correct. Examples show it used to describe various items, from cookery courses to repairs, suggesting a versatile application.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a somewhat expensive" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that costs more than average but isn't excessively pricey. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase. It appears most frequently in News & Media, and is considered to be generally neutral in tone. When using this phrase, consider the specific context and choose alternative phrases like "moderately priced" or "relatively costly" for subtle variations in meaning. It's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring it accurately reflects the degree of expense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relatively costly

Replaces "somewhat" with "relatively" and "expensive" with "costly", both indicating a similar degree of cost.

a moderately priced

Substitutes "somewhat expensive" with "moderately priced", conveying a similar idea of a mid-range price point.

a little pricey

Uses more informal terms "little" and "pricey" to express a slightly elevated cost.

not exactly cheap

Employs a negative construction to imply that something is more expensive than expected.

fairly high-priced

Replaces "somewhat" with "fairly" and uses "high-priced" to convey the concept of greater expense.

a tad costly

Uses "tad" and "costly" to soften the description of the price.

a bit dear

Uses the British term "dear" for expensive, keeping a similar level of understatement with "bit".

on the higher end

Describes the cost indirectly, positioning it within a range rather than stating it directly.

somewhat unaffordable

Shifts the focus from price to the ability to pay, implying the expense is a barrier.

more costly than average

Compares the price to an average, highlighting that it exceeds typical costs.

FAQs

How can I use "a somewhat expensive" in a sentence?

You can use "a somewhat expensive" to describe an item or service that costs more than you'd expect, but isn't outrageously priced. For example, "The repair turned out to be "a somewhat expensive" undertaking".

What are some alternatives to saying "a somewhat expensive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "moderately priced", "relatively costly", or "a little pricey".

When is it appropriate to use "a somewhat expensive"?

It is appropriate when you want to convey that something is more costly than average, but not so expensive that it is completely out of reach. It is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts.

Is "a somewhat expensive" the same as "very expensive"?

No, "a somewhat expensive" indicates a moderate level of cost, whereas "very expensive" implies a much higher price point. Consider the item's actual cost and your audience to use the most accurate phrase.